Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues before provision for doubtful accounts									$ 9,784,724	$ 8,904,071	$ 8,495,089
Less: Provision for doubtful accounts									741,273	698,983	1,127,216
Net revenues	$ 2,315,239	$ 2,227,655	$ 2,275,204	$ 2,225,353	$ 2,176,291	$ 2,038,717	$ 2,051,766	$ 1,938,314	9,043,451	8,205,088	7,367,873
Operating charges:
Salaries, wages and benefits									4,212,387	3,845,461	3,604,620
Other operating expenses									2,119,805	1,922,743	1,552,795
Supplies expense									974,088	895,693	821,089
Depreciation and amortization									398,618	375,624	337,172
Lease and rental expense									94,973	93,993	97,758
Electronic health records incentive income									(15,815)	(27,902)	(61,024)
Costs related to extinguishment of debt									0	36,171	0
Operating Expenses, Total									7,784,056	7,141,783	6,352,410
Income from operations									1,259,395	1,063,305	1,015,463
Interest expense, net									113,494	133,638	146,131
Income before income taxes									1,145,901	929,667	869,332
Provision for income taxes									395,203	324,671	315,309
Net income	191,317	163,654	201,404	194,323	190,492	96,038	166,614	151,852	750,698	604,996	554,023
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	17,568	13,367	19,211	20,024	17,695	13,241	14,943	13,774	70,170	59,653	43,290
Net income attributable to UHS	$ 173,749	$ 150,287	$ 182,193	$ 174,299	$ 172,797	$ 82,797	$ 151,671	$ 138,078	$ 680,528	$ 545,343	$ 510,733
Basic earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.76	$ 1.52	$ 1.84	$ 1.76	$ 1.75	$ 0.84	$ 1.53	$ 1.40	$ 6.89	$ 5.52	$ 5.21
Diluted earnings per share attributable to UHS	$ 1.74	$ 1.48	$ 1.80	$ 1.73	$ 1.71	$ 0.82	$ 1.51	$ 1.38	$ 6.76	$ 5.42	$ 5.14
Weighted average number of common shares—basic									98,797	98,826	98,033
Add: Other share equivalents									1,897	1,718	1,328
Weighted average number of common shares and equivalents—diluted									100,694	100,544	99,361